What's wrong with their feathers?

[TurtleFeathers]

Please don't say that!!! I only have one, and he's an original - or at least, I believe he is? I came into this project kinda late, and I'm not sure how Jubaby had her birds set up in mid September of last year when she sent me eggs, but this is my guy Sam who hatched on October 4th (and don't mind the junk - he's sitting on my husband's work bench):

We should do a "roll call" of sorts to see who still has birds from Jubaby so that we can find out just how many are still out there.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
Lovely Silkie Roo!!

Will anyone have eggs this spring?

 

[PepsNick]

Hi everyone; I was wondering what genetics are involved to make these? I've read that no one is sure yet, but has anyone found anything out? Thank you.

Nick

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Turtle Feathers, I wish you all the best with him. I would love to make these birds work. Kathyinmo sent me many of them and one gorgeous Roo but they all died even the F1's. The Roo was up and healthy and the next day, gone. I think he had something wrong with his heart as he was on his back and his comb was purple.

These are very rare birds and I think the reason they are rare is because they just don't have a high survival rate. Yet. Here's hoping.

 

[KellyHM]

I had 2 silkied chicks hatch once that didn't make it past 1 week. Then I got 4 F1s from Kathy, but 2 died right after shipping and another one later for no good reason. I had 1 left, which was a hen, and Alice sent me an F1 roo for her. They both seem very healthy (knock on wood) and I'm just waiting for her to start laying. She's 8 months old now, so any day...

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Good luck Kelly! How is their weight? I had some that were light as feathers. I used Ivermectin a few months ago and worried that it would kill my one girl off but she didn't have a problem and seems healthier overall. I don't want to jinx myself though.

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[KellyHM]

Their weight seems to be ok. They're smaller bodied than my other Ameraucanas, but for their size they seem to be a good weight.

 

[Redcatcher]

I lost track of how many eggs I received from Julie. A couple dozen or so of silkied and F1s mixed. I successfully hatched ONE silkied Americauna which died 2-3 days later. I ended up with a trio of blue F1s and a black cockerel that was marked as an F1. He is definitely not as robust as the others and I have had to bring him in the house for several nights when temperatures dropped into the single digits. Now he is up on the porch and shivers as soon as the temperatures go below freezing. He is fully feathered so he should not be cold. The other three seem to be doing fine.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Yes, these birds have issues, but if we can outcross them hopefully their vigor will improve. My last hen does not get any special treatment because I am to the point of if it isn't supposed to happen then it won't.

I still think they are beautiful and hope someone succeeds.

 

[NicoleRM]

Well I couldn't resist so I candled my eggs last night. It looks like I have veining in all 14!